Columbus Atomic Softball

NAGAAA pays tribute tonight to Coach Greg Johnson during the ‘In Memoriam’ segment at the GSWS Opening Ceremonies in Kansas City

Photo courtesy of Derek Ward Photography.

As the CLGSA’s 2019 End-of Season Division Playoffs commence this weekend at Berliner, it is worth looking back and remembering the 2018 squad who spent most of the season hovering in last place all summer during the Regular Season to clawing their way back and placing third to pick up some hardware.

Coach Greg Johnson wasn’t done.

He knew the team’s ultimate potential, it was his sixth sense, and there was no hesitation in his registering Atomic to play for the C2 Division Championship. Entering the contest seeded third, Atomic faced down some tough teams, but true to form under their Skipper, Atomic busted the C2 bracket to pieces and finished undefeated and were named the CLGSA’s 2019 C2 End-of-Season Champions.

UNDEFEATED.

For the rest of their lives and for those who watched the final two outs with their own eyes will talk and remember what would ultimately be the last two outs to nail down another Columbus Atomic First Place Championship.

Covering second base was Coach Greg Johnson and short stop was Tim Wright.

With one down already and two to go to seal the deal, the second out was made by Coach Greg as a soft liner landed directly in the glove of Coach Greg for the second out. That kept the runner comfortably at first base. Next was ultimately the final at-bat and then subsequent play of the entire 2019 season: Hard hit grounder to, once again, Coach Greg. With his signature moves and finesse, he dropped to his knees, knocked the bouncer down and kept his eye laser sharp on the ball as the ball never left his sight while it was in front of him. Runner was passing Greg to reach second. He gathered himself in what felt like an eternity, while on his knees in the middle of first and second, he hit Tim Wright as he ran over to second base and the final game was a 4-6 putout!

Ballgame.

Gloves came off and went into the air.

Greg and Tim’s play solidified a tough year and a fantastic way for Atomic to finish the season on the highest of all highs possible. Anyone who watched him handle a tough situation and seal the title saw absolute calm, control and total belief in himself and his second baseman.

The team went wild.

Coach Greg Johnson went out a champion.

2018 End-of-Season Playoffs: Coach Greg Johnson accepts his final CLGSA Post-Season Division Playoff Championship trophy on behalf of the final team he ever coaches, admired, and loved, his beloved Columbus Atomic Softball.

From the ECSA Open Division in Seattle:

Greg also played softball in Seattle for several seasons before moving to Columbus. Greg was recruited to the Seattle Atomic in 2009 where his experience was so memorable, that he started a sister atomic team once he moved back to Columbus. Greg was also the coach of the Seattle Buzz. Greg was an exempelary representation of Excellence, Community, Sporstmanship, and Acceptance. Our condolences to all his family and friends. It's a sad day in the softball community.

It is with profound sadness that we offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Greg Johnson on his unexpected passing. Greg was a longtime member of CLGSA as a player and coach, most recently coaching Columbus Atomic Softball in C2 last season. Please keep Greg’s family and friends in your thoughts during this difficult time, especially his son Kurtis who is also a member of the league, pictured here with his dad.

Columbus Atomic Softball returns for the 2019 CLGSA Regular Summer Softball Season!

The 2019 season will be dedicated to the everlasting memory and dedication of Columbus Atomics’ founder, coach, player, mentor, friend and 30 year member of the Columbus Le***an & Gay Softball Association, No.4, Coach Greg Johnson.

Visitation and funeral services for family, friends, and all fellow softballers for ’s founder, coach, mentor and 30 year member of the CLGSA softball league in Columbus, Greg Johnson.

Obituary for Gregory Allen Johnson | Shaw - Davis Funeral Home Obituary for Gregory Allen Johnson | Gregory ‘Greg’ Allen Johnson, age 55 on Feb 7, 2019. Born Sept 19, 1963 in Columbus, OH to predeceased parents Dave and Jane Johnson. Survived by his partner of 18 years Brian Highfill; children Michelle (Nicholas) Jones and Kurtis (Cassandra) Johnson and t....

Coach Greg Johnson’s reading of the game-time lineup and player field positions was absolutely legendary.

You will be sorely missed, No. 4.

Remembering Columbus Atomic Softball’s founder, coach and mentor Greg Johnson who passed away unexpectedly yesterday morning.

Columbus Atomic will be remembering the life of Coach Greg who spent nearly 30 years as an active member of the Columbus Le***an and Gay Softball Association (CLGSA) as a fearless leader, player, coach, and teacher.

We welcome you to share your memories of our beloved Coach Greg as we are heartbroken by this unexpected loss.

2018 Columbus Atomic game-day shots from our doubleheader on August 5th facing Tap This and Renegades at Berliner Park. Atomic would go on to win both games 7-0 and 13-12, respectively, igniting a late-season team rally that would carryover into the Post-Season Division Playoffs.